Multiple reel cable carton

ABSTRACT

A container for dispensing cable comprises a carton having a plurality of panels, a plurality of reels, a plurality of axles, and first and second support panels. The reels fit onto the axles which rest in axle holes punched into the support panels. Each support panel sits inside the carton and is made up of one or more flaps. Preferably, each panel has at least two flaps that space one of the flaps from the panels of the carton to ensure the axles rest in the axle holes. Preferably, dispensing slots are disposed to be in the front panel in front of the respective reels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wire and cable for installation in residences and buildings typicallycomes on cable reels. The types of wire and cable are numerous andinclude 110V three-conductor wire, “Romex”, and dozens of differentkinds of low-voltage, multiconductor insulated communications cable,such as that used for setting up Ethernet networks, intercom systems,entertainment systems and the connection of security sensors anddevices. A new building under construction will need many kinds of thesecables, and several reels of cable will be used by an installer orsystems integrator on-site.

One known technique is to provide coils of such cable in boxes and tocreate a hole in a front or top panel of the (typically cardboard) boxfor pulling out a desired length of cable. This conventional method hasa drawback in that the cable may kink inside of the box or otherwiseresist being pulled out of the box to such an extent that a cableinstaller or technician finds that he or she is pulling the box acrossthe floor. Further, the installer has to install several differentlengths of cable on a single run. To do this, the installer has had toidentify which kinds of cable he or she needs, individually pull cableout of separate boxes, and estimate as best as he or she can the amountof cable so pulled.

Different cables are typically packed in separate boxes or reels whichare often large, heavy, and cumbersome and typically contain longlengths of cable. As a result, the installer has to move multiple largeboxes around the job site to install the cables. Moreover, the desiredlength of each cable for a particular job is usually much shorter thanthe length of cable in the cartons, so the installer wastes time andenergy transporting multiple boxes or reels with too much cable aroundthe job site. The cost for the labor to install this cable typically farexceeds the cost of the cable itself. Anything which can be done tominimize this labor cost conveys a distinct technical advantage. A need,therefore, persists for more efficient methods and apparatus for packingand dispensing cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container for the dispensing of wound cable or wire on reels comprisesa carton having a plurality of panels including a front panel havingbottom, left and right sides. A bottom panel extends from the bottomside of the front panel and has an upper surface. A left panel extendsfrom the left side of the front panel so as to be orthogonal to thebottom panel and a right panel extends from the right side of the frontpanel so as to be parallel and spaced from the left panel.

A plurality of reels of cable is rotatably mounted in the carton, sothat multiple kinds and/or lengths of cable can be dispensed out of thesame carton at the same time. The plurality of reels includes a firstreel having a hollow spindle having a right spindle end, a left spindleend, a first spindle length, a left reel flange on the first spindleend, and a right reel flange on the second spindle end. The right andleft reel flanges each have a first flange radius.

A second reel includes a second hollow spindle having a right spindleend, a left spindle end, a second spindle length, a left reel flange onthe first spindle end, and a right reel flange on the second spindleend. The right and left reel flanges have a second flange radius.

First and second axles are supported between a first support panel and asecond support panel. Each axle has a first end, a second end, and alength between the first and second ends that is longer than the firstand second spindle lengths. The first support panel is disposed near, tothe right of, and parallel to the left panel and has a first set of axleholes. Each axle hole is adapted to receive the first end of an axle andthe axle holes are spaced apart from each other by at least the firstflange radius plus the second flange radius. Each axle hole is spacedfrom the panels such that the flange does not contact the panels.

Further, the container has a second support panel disposed near, to theleft of, and parallel to the right panel and has a second set of axleholes with each axle hole being adapted to receive the second end of anaxle. The second set of axle holes is equal in number and spacing to thefirst set of axle holes. The first and second reels are rotatablymounted on the first and second axles between the first and secondsupport panels. Preferably, the axles are parallel to one another wheninserted into the first and second sets of axle holes.

Additionally, a method for packing cable to increase the ease ofsimultaneous installation of multiple cables comprises the steps ofcustom winding a plurality of cables onto a plurality of reels with eachreel having a hollow spindle and opening a dispensing carton. The methodfurther comprises installing a first vertical support panel having afirst set of axle holes into the dispensing carton and installing aplurality of axles, each axle having a first end and second end, byinserting the first end of each axle into the first set of axle holes.The method further comprises installing the reels into the carton byslipping the hollow spindle of each reel onto an axle, installing asecond support panel having a second set of axle holes in the dispensingcarton by slipping the second end of each axle into the respective axlehole in the second support panel, and closing the dispensing carton.

The different embodiments of the invention may be used with othersystems fro dispensing wire or cable from reels such as those describedin U.S. application Ser. No. 12/103,790, now U.S. Published PatentApplication No. 2008/0191436 to Galgano et al., the disclosure of whichis expressly incorporated by reference.

A carton insert for adapting a carton to contain a plurality of cablereel comprises a first support panel disposed near, to the right of, andparallel to a left panel of a carton and having a first support rodhole, a plurality of sides, and a first set of axle holes. Each axlehole in the first set is adapted to receive a first end of an axle andis spaced a first predetermined distance away from the closest side.Each axle hole is also spaced at least twice the first predetermineddistance away from the nearest other axle hole and at least a secondpredetermined distance from the first support rod hole.

A second support panel is disposed near, to the left of, and parallel toa right panel of the carton and has a second support rod hole, aplurality of sides, and a second set of axle holes. Each axle hole inthe second set is adapted to receive a second end of an axle, is atleast twice the first predetermined distance from the nearest other axlehole, and is at least the second predetermined distance from the secondsupport rod hole. The second set of axle holes are a mirror image of thefirst set of axle holes.

Finally, a container for the dispensing of a cable wound on a cable reelcomprises a carton having a plurality of panels including a front panelhaving bottom, left and right sides. A bottom panel extends from thebottom side of the front panel and has an upper surface. A left panelextends from the left side of the front panel so as to be orthogonal tothe bottom panel and a right panel extends from the right side of thefront panel so as to be parallel and spaced from the left panel. A leftpanel arbor hole is formed in the left panel about an axis and a rightpanel arbor hole is formed in the right panel around the axis.

Additionally, a plurality of reels is disposed to be adjacent to oneanother inside the carton and a plurality of reel caddies is disposed inthe carton. Each reel caddy supports an end of a reel.

In a preferred embodiment, a first caddy is disposed in the cartonadjacent the left panel and to extend upwardly from an upper surface ofthe bottom panel. A substantially cylindrical bushing of the first caddyextends inwardly toward the right panel and is formed around the axisthat is parallel to the bottom panel. The axis is disposed at a firstdistance measured orthogonally from the upper surface of the bottompanel with the bushing being formed substantially at a first radius fromthe axis. A hole is formed in the first caddy to be radially inward froman exterior surface of the bushing thereof.

Similarly, a second caddy is disposed in the carton to be left-facingand to extend upwardly from the upper surface of the bottom panel. Asubstantially cylindrical bushing of the second caddy extends toward theleft panel and is formed around the axis. The bushing of the secondcaddy is formed substantially at the first radius from the axis and ahole being is formed in the second caddy to be radially inward from anexterior surface of the bushing thereof.

A third caddy is disposed in the carton to be right-facing and adjacentto the second caddy and extends upwardly from the upper surface of thebottom panel. A substantially cylindrical bushing of the third caddyextends toward the right panel and, like the previous bushings, isformed around the axis. The bushing of the third caddy is formedsubstantially at the first radius from the axis and a hole is formed inthe third caddy to be radially inward from an exterior surface of thebushing thereof.

A fourth caddy is disposed in the carton to be left-facing and to extendupwardly from the upper surface of the bottom panel. A substantiallycylindrical bushing of the fourth caddy extends inwardly toward the leftpanel and is formed around the axis. The bushing of the fourth caddy isformed substantially at the first radius from the axis and a hole isformed in the fourth caddy to be radially inward from an exteriorsurface of the bushing thereof.

Further, the container further comprises a first reel having spaced-partleft and right first reel flanges with the right and left first reelflanges, each having a central hole. The first reel flanges are joinedby a first spindle. The central holes of the left and right first reelflanges are each formed around the axis and have a second radius whichis greater than the first radius. Thus, the bushing of the first caddymay be received in the central hole of the left first reel flange andthe bushing of the second caddy may be received in the central hole ofthe right first reel flange. The largest radius of either the left orright first reel flanges are less than the first distance, therebypermitting the first reel to rotate around the axis inside the carton.

Similarly, a second reel has spaced-part left and right second reelflanges, each second reel flange having a central hole and being joinedby a second spindle. The central holes of the left and right second reelflanges are each formed around the axis and have a third radius which isgreater than said first radius. The bushing of the third caddy may bereceived in the central hole of the left second reel flange and thebushing of the fourth caddy may be received in the central hole of theright second reel flange. As above, the largest radius of either secondreel flange is less than the first distance so as to permit the rotationof the second reel around the axis inside of the carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the invention and their advantages can be discernedin the following detailed description, in which like characters denotelike parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing according to a first embodiment of theinvention having four reels;

FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing showing a plurality of reels, spindles,and support panels according to one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail of an alternative embodiment of the invention inwhich a plurality of reels are mounted on the same axle;

FIG. 4 is plan view showing first and second support panels according tothe invention joined by a spacing flap;

FIG. 5 is an isometric drawing according to a second embodiment of theinvention having five reels;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for packing cable;

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of the carton according to oneembodiment of the invention showing affixation to a vehicle by an axialsupport member;

FIG. 8 is an isometric drawing according to another embodiment of theinvention having four holes or slots in the front panel to dispensecable;

FIG. 9 is an isometric drawing according to one embodiment of theinvention showing three reels positioned adjacent to one another insidea carton; and

FIG. 9A is an axial cross sectional view taken substantially along line9A-9A of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a container for the dispensing of cable wound oncable reels, indicated generally at 100, comprises a carton 102 (shownin phantom to reveal inner detail) having a plurality of panelsincluding a front panel 104 having a bottom side 106, a left side 108,and a right side 110. The carton 102 also has a bottom panel 112 thatextends from the bottom side 106 of the front panel 104. Further, a leftpanel 114 extends from the left side 108 of the front panel 104 so as tobe orthogonal to the bottom panel 112 and a right panel 116 extends fromthe right side 110 of the front panel 104 so as to be parallel andspaced from the left panel 114.

Additionally, the container 100 comprises a plurality of reels includinga first reel 120 having a first hollow spindle 122 with a left spindleend 124, a right spindle end 126, and a first spindle length 128. Thefirst reel also has a left reel flange 130 on the first spindle end 124and a right reel flange 132 on the second spindle end 126 with both theright and left reel flanges 130, 132 having a first flange radius 134.Further, the container 100 includes a second reel 136 having a secondhollow spindle 138 having a left spindle end 140, a right spindle end142, and a second spindle length 144. Also, the second reel 136 has aleft reel flange 146 on the first spindle end 140 and a right reelflange 148 on the second spindle end 142 with both the right and leftreel flanges 146, 148 having a second flange radius 150. In a preferredembodiment, each flange is made of two layers of cardboard joined toeach other and to the spindle as by adhesive.

Referring to FIG. 2, the container 100 further comprises a first axle202, a second axle 212, and a first support panel 200. The first axlehas a first end 204, a second end 206, and a length 208 between thefirst end 204 and second end 206 that is longer than the first spindlelength 128. The second axle 212 has a first end 214, a second end 216,and a length 208 between the first end 214 and second end 216 that islonger than the second spindle length 144. Preferably, the axles 202,212 are hollow cardboard tubes to reduce weight and use recycled papermaterial or conduit. If more strength is required, the axles can besolid and made from doweling, plastic, or metal. The first support panel200 is disposed near, to the right of, and parallel to the left panel(114 of FIG. 1) and has a first set 210 of axle holes 210A-D with eachaxle hole being adapted to receive the first end 204, 214 of an axle202, 212 and the axle holes 210A-D being spaced apart from each other byat least the first flange radius 134 plus the second flange radius 150.Each axle hole is spaced from the panels such that the flange does notcontact the panels.

Further, the container has a second support panel 220 disposed near, tothe left of, and parallel to the right panel (116 of FIG. 1) and has asecond set 222 of axle holes 222A-D with each axle hole being adapted toreceive the second end 206, 216 of an axle 202, 212. The second set 222of axle holes is equal in number and spacing to the first set 210 ofaxle holes. Axle holes 222A-D are positioned in a mirror image to axleholes 210A-D. Preferably, the axles 202, 212 when inserted into thefirst and second sets 210, 220 of axle holes are parallel to oneanother. The first and second reels 120, 136, respectively, arerotatably mounted on the first and second axles 202, 212 between thefirst and second support panels 200, 220.

The left panel 114 (FIG. 1) of the carton includes a left arbor hole 152and the right panel 116 of the carton includes a right arbor hole 154.An axial support member 172 is passed through the right arbor hole 154,through the carton 102, and through the left arbor hole 152. Further,the first support panel 200 has a first support rod hole 218 and thesecond support panel 220 has a second support rod hole 224. The arborholes 152, 154 and the first and second support rod holes 218, 224 arepositioned such that a linear path in the carton 102 does not contactany of the plurality of reels 120, 136. Thus, axle holes 210A-D arepositioned so that a linear path between support rod holes 218, 224 areunobstructed. Arbor holes 152, 154 can be in an old box that is adaptedto carry four spools with these inserts.

Additionally, one or more handles 156 may be formed into a panel 116 ofthe carton 102 and at least one panel 104 has at least one hole orelongated slot 158. The slot 158 preferably has a width that isapproximately equal to the length 128, 144 of the spindles 122, 138 topermit the dispensing of cable 164 out of the carton 102 acrosssubstantially the entire spindle length 128, 144 without impinging onthe panel 104. Further, the elongated slot preferably is sized to beapproximately equal to two thirds of the diameter of the flange. Again,this prevents impingement on the front panel 104 and reduces friction.

Preferably, the carton 102 contains at least one slot 158 per reel. Asshown in FIG. 8, the front panel may have four holes or slots 802, 804,806, 808 in the front panel 104 to permit the dispensing of cable 164A-Dfrom the carton 102. Slots 158, 802-808 may start out as perforations inthe panel 104. The container may be packed with spools of differentcable (as more completely described in conjunction with FIG. 6), shippedto a job site, and only then would slots 158, 802-808 be knocked out forthe dispensing of cable.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the cables on each reel have a first cable end162 that is affixed to a surface, preferably an outside surface 160 ofthe carton 102. Affixing the ends 162 of the cable has the advantage ofpreventing the reels 120, 136 from rotating and the ends becoming looseinside the carton 102. Additionally, the container may include a pullline 166 affixed to the cable ends 162. The pull line 166 has a lead end168 and a trailing end 170 that is affixed to each cable end 162. Thepull line 166 has a length that is at least a predetermined length ofthe wound cable. Prior to shipment, the cable end 162 are fed through amuch smaller “thumb hole” 174 in each elongated slot 158, 802-808 whichhas been knocked out prior to shipment to the job site and affixed tothe outside surface of the panel 104. The thumb hole 174 allows theinstaller to knock or tear out the perforated portion of the panel 104more easily.

In a preferred embodiment, the first set 210 of axle holes comprisesfour axle holes 210A-D that are equidistant from the left arbor hole(152 of FIG. 1), the second set 222 of axle holes comprises four axleholes 222A-D that are equidistant from the right arbor hole (154 ofFIG. 1) and are aligned with the first set of axle holes 210, forming amirror image of the first set. As can be seen in FIG. 3, two reels 302,304, or even three reels can share a common axle 306, which ispreferably hollow.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first and second support panels 200, 220 arepreferably made of cardboard, paper, or fiber board, but other materialssuch as steel or plastic may be used. As shown in FIG. 4, the firstsupport panel 200 further comprises a first flap 400 having a first set210 of axle holes 210A-D and a second flap 402 joined to the first flap400 and in use is folded so as to space the first flap 400 from the leftpanel 114, (FIG. 7) of the carton such that the first flap 400 supportsthe first ends 204, 214 of the axles 202, 212. Preferably, a third flap404 is joined to the first flap 400 on a first side 403 opposite thesecond flap 402, the second and third flaps 402, 404 together forming afirst support rod hole 428B. In one embodiment, flaps 402 and 404 mayhave a third set 410 of axle holes 410A-D positioned such that the thirdset 410 of axle holes aligns with the first set 210 of axle holes whenthe second and third flaps 402, 404 are folded to be adjacent to thefirst flap 400. In other embodiments, flaps 402, 404 do not have axleholes but are “blind.” The second and third flaps 402, 404 space thefirst flap from the next adjacent panel of the carton 102 when foldedback into a single plane. The height and width of the first panel 400must be less than the height and width of the carton 102.

The distance “d” between axle holes is at least twice the firstpredetermined distance “r,” which is the maximum size of reel flangesand is shown in broken line. Further, the second predetermined distance“x” between the axle hole and the support rod holes is greater than thefirst predetermined distance “r” and the distance “s” between the axlehole and the nearest panel of the carton is greater than thepredetermined distance “r.”

Similarly, the second support panel 220 further comprises a fourth flap406 having a second set 222 of axle holes 222A-D and a fifth flap 408joined to the fourth flap 406 and folded so as to space the fourth flap406 from the right panel (not shown) of the carton 102 such that thefourth flap 406 supports the second ends 206, 216 of the axles 202, 216.Further, a sixth flap 412 is joined to the fourth flap 406 on a firstside 416 opposite the fifth flap 408, the fifth and sixth flaps 408, 412together forming a second support rod hole 430A, B and a fourth set 420of axle holes 420A-D positioned such that the fourth set 420 of axleholes aligns with the second set 222 of axle holes when the fifth andsixth flaps 408, 412 are folded to be adjacent to the fourth flap 406.As above, the fifth and sixth flaps 408, 412 space the fourth flap fromthe next adjacent panel of the carton 102 when folded back into a singleplane. Additionally, a spacing flap 422 may be joined to the first flap400 along a second side 401 of the first flap 400. Preferably, thespacing flap 422 is shorter in length by approximately four cardboardthicknesses than the depth of the carton 102. In addition, the spacingflap may be joined to the fourth flap 406 along a second side 414 of thesecond support panel 220.

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view taken of the carton showing affixationto an anchor or vehicle, indicated generally at 700, by an axial supportmember 172. The axial support member 172 is attached to a first anchorpoint 702 and a second anchor point 704 by a cotter pin 706 or otherremovable device.

It is contemplated that the spacing of the first set 210 of axle holesand the second set 222 of axle holes can be arranged in any patternaround the arbor holes 152, 154 such that the reel flanges 130, 146 donot contact one another or the panels of the carton 102, and do notocclude the linear path between support rod holes 218, 224. Thus, asshown in FIG. 5, the container may have four or even five reels.Specifically, the first reel 120 is supported on the first axle 202which is, in turn, supported by a first axle hole 210A in the firstsupport panel 200 and a first axle hole 222A in the second support panel220. The second reel 136 is supported by the second axle 212 which is,in turn, supported by a second axle hole 210B in the first support panel200 and a second axle hole 222B in the second support panel 220. A thirdreel 502 has a third flange radius 504 and is supported on a third axle514 which is, in turn, supported by a third axle hole 210C in the firstsupport panel 200 and a third axle hole 222C in the second support panel220. Further, a fourth reel 504 with a fourth flange radius 508supported on a fourth axle 516 which is, in turn, supported by a fourthaxle hole 210D in the first support panel 200 and a fourth axle hole222D in the second support panel 220. As described above, each axle holein each support panel is spaced from the nearest adjacent axle hole byat least the flange radius of the associated reel plus the flange radiusof the nearest adjacent reel. In addition, each axle hole in eachsupport panel is spaced from its respective support rod hole and fromthe panels by at least the flange radius of the associated reel.

Further, the container may comprise a fifth reel 510 having a fifthflange radius 512 and supported on a fifth axle 518 which is, in turn,supported by a fifth axle hole 210E in the first support panel 200 and afifth axle hole 222E in the second support panel 220. The fifth axlehole in each support panel is spaced from the nearest adjacent axle holeby at least the fifth flange radius plus the flange radius of thenearest adjacent reel and is spaced from its respective support rod holeand from the panels by at least the fifth flange radius 512.

As described above, the reels need not have the same type of cable oreven the same flange radii. In fact, the present invention permits thehousing of different cable types used in the same job in one carton. Forexample, a door entry wiring for a home security system comprises fourdifferent types of cables: 22 gauge, 6 conductor shielded cable for usewith a card reader; 18 gauge, 4 conductor stranded cable to supplypower; 22 gauge, 2 conductor wire for use with the door contact; and 22gauge, 4 conductor wire for use as a spare. Typically, a single cartoncan carry 125 feet to 500 feet of cable per reel.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method, indicated generally at (600), for packingcable to increase the ease of simultaneously installing multiple cablescomprises the steps of custom winding (602) a plurality of cables onto aplurality of reels with each reel having a hollow spindle and each cablehaving a free end, opening (604) the dispensing carton, and installing(606) the first support panel. The method further comprises installing(608) at least one axle into the first support panel, installing (610)the reels into a carton, and installing (610) the reels onto the axles.Additionally, the method may include affixing (612) the cable ends tothe carton.

Further, the method comprises installing (614) a second support paneland affixing (616) a pull line to the cable ends, closing (618) thecarton, and affixing (620) the carton to a structure. The step ofaffixing (620) the carton to a structure may comprise the substeps ofinserting (622) an axial support member through the left arbor hole,passing (624) the axial support member through the carton and the rightarbor hole, and attaching (626) the axial support member to a structure.The support structure may be an anchor but is preferably a vehicle suchas a cart dolly, or a hand truck.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 9A, a container indicated generally at 900 forthe dispensing of cable or wire wound on a reel comprises a carton 902having a plurality of panels including a front panel 904 having bottomside 906, left side 908, and right side 910. A bottom panel 912 extendsfrom the bottom side 906 of the front panel 904 and has an upper surface914. A left panel 916 extends from the left side 908 of the front panel904 so as to be orthogonal to the bottom panel 912 and a right panel 918extends from the right side 910 of the front panel 904 so as to beparallel and spaced from the left panel 916. A left panel arbor hole 970is formed in the left panel 916 and a right panel arbor hole 971 isformed in the right panel 918 of the carton 902 around an axis 924.

A plurality of reels 958, 964, 992 are disposed in the carton 902, thereels being adjacent to one another, and a plurality of reel caddies920, 930, 940, 950, 976, 984 are disposed in the carton, with each reelcaddy supporting an end of a reel.

Preferably, a first caddy 920 is disposed in the carton 902 adjacent theleft panel 916 and to extend upwardly from an upper surface 914 of thebottom panel 912. A substantially cylindrical bushing 922 of the firstcaddy 920 extends inwardly toward the right panel 918 and is formedaround the axis 924 that is parallel to the bottom panel 912. The axis924 is disposed at a first distance 999 measured orthogonally from theupper surface 914 of the bottom panel 912 with the bushing 922 beingformed substantially at a first radius from the axis 924. A hole 926 isformed in the first caddy 920 to be radially inward from an exteriorsurface 928 of the bushing 922 thereof.

Similarly, a second caddy 930 is disposed in the carton 902 to beleft-facing and to extend upwardly from the upper surface 914 of thebottom panel 912. A substantially cylindrical bushing 932 of the secondcaddy 930 extends toward the left panel 916 and is formed around theaxis 924. The bushing 932 of the second caddy 930 is formedsubstantially at the first radius from the axis 924 and a hole 934 isformed in the second caddy 930 to be radially inward from an exteriorsurface 936 of the bushing 932 thereof.

A third caddy 940 is disposed in the carton 902 to be right-facing andadjacent to the second caddy 930 and extends upwardly from the uppersurface 914 of the bottom panel 912. A substantially cylindrical bushing942 of the third caddy 940 extends toward the right panel 918 and, likethe previous bushings, is formed around the axis 924. The bushing 942 ofthe third caddy 940 is formed substantially at the first radius from theaxis 924 and a hole 943 is formed in the third caddy 940 to be radiallyinward from an exterior surface 946 of the bushing 942 thereof.

A fourth caddy 950 is disposed in the carton to be left-facing and toextend upwardly from the upper surface 914 of the bottom panel 912. Asubstantially cylindrical bushing 952 of the fourth caddy 950 extendsinwardly toward the left panel 916 and is formed around the axis 924.The bushing 952 of the fourth caddy is formed substantially at the firstradius from the axis 924 and a hole 954 is formed in the fourth caddy950 to be radially inward from an exterior surface 956 of the bushing952 thereof.

Further, the container further comprises a first reel 958 havingspaced-part left and right first reel flanges 960, 962 with the rightand left first reel flanges each having a central hole. The first reelflanges 960, 962 are joined by a first spindle 964. The central holes ofthe left and right first reel flanges 960, 962 are each formed aroundthe axis 924 and have a second radius which is greater than the firstradius. Thus, the bushing 922 of the first caddy may be received in thecentral hole of the left first reel flange 960 and the bushing 932 ofthe second caddy 930 may be received in the central hole of the rightfirst reel flange 962. The largest radius of either the left or rightfirst reel flanges 960, 962 are less than the first distance 999,thereby permitting the first reel 958 to rotate around the axis 924inside the carton 902.

Similarly, a second reel 964 has spaced-part left and right second reelflanges 966, 968, each second reel flange having a central hole andbeing joined by a second spindle 970. The central holes of the left andright second reel flanges 966, 968 are each formed around the axis 924and have a third radius which is greater than said first radius. Thebushing 942 of the third caddy 940 may be received in the central holeof the left second reel flange 966 and the bushing 952 of the fourthcaddy 950 may be received in the central hole of the right second reelflange 968. As above, the largest radius of either second reel flange966, 968 is less than the first distance 999 so as to permit therotation of the second reel 964 around the axis 924 inside of the carton902.

As described above, the left and right panels 916, 918 of the cartoneach have an arbor hole 970, 971 formed around the axis 924 and,preferably, the first and second spindles 964, 970 each have an axialpassageway 972, 974 for communicating the central holes of the rightreel flanges 962, 968 and left reel flanges 960, 966. In one embodiment,the fourth caddy 950 is adjacent to the right panel 918 of the carton902.

One embodiment of the invention houses only two reels (such as reels 958and 964) side-by-side in carton 902, and carton 902 is accordingly notas long as the one shown. In the illustrated embodiment, however, afifth caddy 976 is disposed in the carton 902 to be right-facing andadjacent to the fourth caddy 950 to extend upwardly from the uppersurface 914 of the bottom panel 912, a substantially cylindrical bushing978 of the fifth caddy 976 extending toward the right panel 918 andformed around the axis 924, the bushing 978 of the fifth caddy 976 beingformed substantially at the first radius from the axis 924 and a hole980 being formed in the fifth caddy 976 to be radially inward from anexterior surface 982 of the bushing 978 thereof.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment a sixth caddy 984 is disposed inthe carton 902 to be left-facing and to extend upwardly from the uppersurface of the bottom panel, a substantially cylindrical bushing 986 ofthe sixth caddy 984 extending inwardly toward the left panel 916 andformed around the axis 924, the bushing 986 of the sixth caddy 984 beingformed substantially at the first radius from the axis and a hole 988being formed in the sixth caddy 984 to be radially inward from anexterior surface 990 of the bushing 986 thereof.

A third reel 992 housed in carton 902 has spaced-part left and rightthird reel flanges 994, 996, with each third reel flange having acentral hole. The third reel flanges are joined by a third spindle 997,preferably having an axial passageway 995 for communicating the centralholes of the right and left third reel flanges 994, 996. The centralholes of the left and right third reel flanges are each formed aroundthe axis 924 and have a fourth radius which is greater than said firstradius. Thus, the bushing 978 of the fifth caddy 976 may be received inthe central hole of the left third reel flange 994 and the bushing 986of the sixth caddy 984 may be received in the central hole of the rightthird reel flange 996. The greatest radius of either the right or leftthird reel flanges 994, 996 is less than the first distance so as topermit the rotation of the first reel 992 around the axis 924 inside ofthe carton 902. Thus, the sixth caddy 984 may be adjacent to the rightpanel 918 of the carton 902.

The back-to-back caddy pairs 930, 940; 950, 976 provide structuralsupport columns inside the interior of carton 902. These columns willreceive some of the load of the cable reels stored in carton 902 andinsure that there is no catenary sagging of any support rod placedthrough the carton 902 along axis 924.

As above, the container preferably includes at least one elongated slot998 formed in at least one panel of the carton in a direction parallelto the axis to permit the dispensing of cable out of the carton.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 9A may be altered bydecreasing or increasing one or more of the lengths of the cable reels958, 964, 992, the length of housing carton 902 thereupon being alteredto closely contain them. The number of reels in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 9 and 9A (three) is exemplary only and may be decreased to two orincreased.

In summary, the different embodiments of the invention find theirutility by allowing an installer to pull a plurality of cables in asingle pull out of one carton that has been custom wound with thedesired types and lengths of cables. This reduces the amount of time andeffort wasted transporting multiple heavier reels having longer lengthsof cable, thereby decreasing labor costs and increasing the speed of theinstallation.

While illustrated embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated in the appended drawings, the presentinvention is not limited thereto but only by the scope and spirit of theappended claims.

1. A container for the dispensing of cable wound on cable reels,comprising: a carton having a plurality of panels including a frontpanel having bottom, left and right sides, a bottom panel extending fromthe bottom side of the front panel, a left panel extending from the leftside of the front panel so as to be orthogonal to the bottom panel, anda right panel extending from the right side of the front panel so as tobe parallel and spaced from the left panel; a plurality of reelsincluding, a first reel including a first hollow spindle having a rightspindle end, a left spindle end, a first spindle length, a left reelflange on the first spindle end, and a right reel flange on the secondspindle end, the right and left reel flanges having a first flangeradius; a second reel including a second hollow spindle having a rightspindle end, a left spindle end, a second spindle length, a left reelflange on the first spindle end, and a right reel flange on the secondspindle end, the right and left reel flanges having a second flangeradius; a first axle having a first end, a second end, and a lengthbetween the first and second ends that is longer than the first spindlelength; a second axle having a first end, a second end, and a lengthbetween the first and second ends that is longer than the second spindlelength; a first support panel disposed near, to the right of, andparallel to the left panel of the carton and having a first set of axleholes, each axle hole in the first set being adapted to receive thefirst end of an axle, the axle holes being spaced apart from each otherby at least the first flange radius plus the second flange radius; and asecond support panel disposed near, to the left of, and parallel to theright panel and having a second set of axle holes, each axle hole beingadapted to receive the second end of an axle, the first and second reelsrespectively and rotatably mounted on the first and second axles betweenthe first and second support panels.
 2. The container of claim 1,further comprising a first support rod hole in the first support panel,a second support rod hole in the second support panel, a right arborhole in the right panel of the carton, and a left arbor hole in the leftpanel of the carton, the left and right arbor holes being positioned inthe left and right panels and the first and second support rod holespositioned in the first and second support panels such that a linearpath in the carton between the arbor holes does not contact any of theplurality of reels.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the axles areparallel to each other.
 4. The container of claim 1, further comprisingat least one elongated slot formed in at least one panel of the cartonin a direction parallel to at least one axle to permit the dispensing ofcable out of the carton.
 5. The container of claim 4, further comprisingfour slots in the front panel.
 6. The container of claim 4, wherein theat least one slot comprises one slot per reel.
 7. The container of claim1, wherein the first set of axle holes comprises four axle holes beingequidistant from the left arbor hole, the second set of axle holescomprises four axle holes being equidistant from the right arbor holeand each axle hole pair is on an axis, the axes being parallel to eachother.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein two reels share a commonaxle.
 9. The container of claim 1, each reel further comprising apredetermined length of wound cable, a first cable end affixed to anoutside surface of the carton, and a pull line having a lead end beingaffixed to each first cable end, the pull line having a length being atleast the predetermined length of the wound cable.
 10. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the axles are hollow.
 11. The container of claim 1,wherein the axles are solid.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein theplurality of axles is made of a material selected from the groupconsisting of doweling, paper, cardboard, and conduit.
 13. The containerof claim 1, wherein the first support panel further comprises a firstflap having the first set of axle holes and a second flap joined to thefirst flap and folded so as to space the first flap from the left panelof the carton such that the first flap supports the first ends of theaxles.
 14. The container of claim 13, further comprising a third flapjoined to the first flap on a first side opposite the second flap. 15.The container of claim 14, wherein the second and third flaps togetherform a first support rod hole.
 16. The container of claim 14, whereinthe second and third flaps together form a third set of axle holespositioned such that the third set of axle holes aligns with the firstset of axle holes when the second and third flaps are folded to beadjacent to the first flap.
 17. The container of claim 14, wherein thesecond and third flaps folded back into a single plane such that thesecond and third flaps space the first flap from the next adjacent panelof the carton.
 18. The container of claim 13, wherein the second supportpanel further comprises a fourth flap having the second set of axleholes and a fifth flap joined to the fourth flap and folded so as tospace the fourth flap from the right panel of the carton such that thefourth flap supports the second ends of the axles.
 19. The container ofclaim 18, further comprising a sixth flap joined to the fourth flap onfirst a side opposite the fifth flap.
 20. The container of claim 19,wherein the fifth and sixth flaps together form a second support rodhole.
 21. The container of claim 19, wherein the fifth and sixth flapsform a fourth set of axle holes positioned such that the fourth set ofaxle holes aligns with the second set of axle holes when the fifth andsixth flaps are folded to be adjacent to the fourth flap.
 22. Thecontainer of claim 19, wherein the fifth and sixth flaps folded backinto a single plane such that the fifth and sixth flaps space the fourthflap from the next adjacent panel of the carton.
 23. The container inclaim 18, further comprising a spacing flap being joined to the firstflap along a second side of the first flap and being joined to thefourth flap along a second side of the fourth flap.
 24. The container ofclaim 1, further comprising the first supported on the first axle inturn supported by a first axle hole in the first support panel and afirst axle hole in the second support panel; the second reel supportedon the second axle in turn supported by a second axle hole in the firstsupport panel and a second axle hole in the second support panel; athird reel having a third flange radius and supported on a third axle inturn supported by a third axle hole in the first support panel and athird axle hole in the second support panel; a fourth reel having afourth flange radius and supported on a fourth axle in turn supported bya fourth axle hole in the first support panel and a fourth axle hole inthe second support panel; wherein each axle hole in each support panelis spaced from the nearest adjacent axle hole by at least the flangeradius of the associated reel plus the flange radius of the nearestadjacent reel; and wherein each hole in each support panel is spacedfrom its respective support rod hole by at least the flange radius ofthe associated reel.
 25. The container of claim 24, further comprising afifth reel having a fifth flange radius and supported on a fifth axle inturn supported by a fifth axle hole in the first support panel and afifth axle hole in the second support panel; wherein the fifth axle holein each support panel is spaced from the nearest adjacent hole by atleast the fifth flange radius plus the flange radius of the nearestadjacent reel; and wherein the fifth hole in each support panel isspaced from its respective support rod hole by at least the fifth flangeradius.
 26. A method for packing cable to increase the ease ofsimultaneously installing multiple cables comprising the steps of:winding a plurality of cables onto a plurality of reels, each reelhaving a hollow spindle; opening a dispensing carton; installing a firstsupport panel having a first set of axle holes into the dispensingcarton; installing a plurality of axles, each axle having a first endand a second end, by inserting the first end of each axle into the firstset of axle holes; installing the reels into the carton by slipping thehollow spindle of each reel onto an axle; installing a second supportpanel having a second set of axle holes into the dispensing carton byslipping the second end of each axle into the respective axle hole inthe second support panel; and; closing the dispensing carton.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, further comprising affixing a free end of each cableto an outside surface of the carton.
 28. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising affixing a pull line to each free end of the cables.
 29. Themethod of claim 26, further comprising the step of affixing the cartonto a structure, the step of affixing further comprising the substepsinserting a first end of an axial support member through the left arborhole; passing the first end of the axial support member through thecarton and the right arbor hole; and attaching the first end and asecond end of the axial support member to the structure.
 30. The methodof claim 25, wherein the structure is a vehicle.
 31. The method of claim26, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group of a cart, a dolly,and a hand truck.
 32. A carton insert for adapting a carton to contain aplurality of cable reels comprising a first support panel disposed near,to the right of, and parallel to a left panel of a carton and having afirst support rod hole, a plurality of sides, and a first set of axleholes, each axle hole in the first set adapted to receive a first end ofan axle and being spaced a first predetermined distance away from theclosest side, at least twice the first predetermined distance from thenearest other axle hole, and at least a second predetermined distancefrom the first support rod hole; and a second support panel disposednear, to the left of, and parallel to a right panel of the carton andhaving a second support rod hole, a plurality of sides, and a second setof axle holes, each axle hole in the second set adapted to receive asecond end of an axle, each axle hole being at least twice the firstpredetermined distance from the nearest other axle hole, and at leastthe second predetermined distance from the second support rod hole;wherein the second set of axle holes are a mirror image of the first setof axle holes.
 33. The insert of claim 32, wherein the first supportpanel further comprises a first flap having the first set of axle holesand a second flap joined to the first flap and folded so as to space thefirst flap from the left panel of the carton such that the first flapsupports a first end of at least one axle.
 34. The insert of claim 33,further comprising a third flap joined to the first flap on a sideopposite the second flap.
 35. The insert of claim 34, wherein the secondand third flaps together for a first support rod hole.
 36. The insert ofclaim 34, the second and third flaps together form a third set of axleholes positioned such that the third set of axle holes aligns with thefirst set of axle holes when the second and third flaps are folded to beadjacent to the first flap.
 37. The insert of claim 34, wherein thesecond and third flaps folded back into a single plane such that thesecond and third flaps space the first flap from the next adjacent panelof the carton.
 38. The insert of claim 33, wherein the second supportpanel further comprises a fourth flap having the second set of axleholes and a fifth flap joined to the fourth flap and folded so as tospace the fourth flap from the right panel of the carton such that thefourth flap supports a second end of at least one axle.
 39. The insertof claim 37, further comprising a sixth flap joined to the fourth flapon a side opposite the fifth flap.
 40. The insert of claim 39, whereinthe fifth and sixth flaps together form a second support rod hole. 41.The insert of claim 39, wherein the fifth and sixth flaps togetherhaving a fourth set of axle holes positioned such that the fourth set ofaxle holes aligns with the second set of axle holes when the fifth andsixth flaps are folded to be adjacent to the fourth flap.
 42. The insertof claim 38, further comprising a spacing flap joined to the first flapalong a second side of the first support panel and along a second sideof the fourth flap of the second support panel.
 43. The insert of claim38, further comprising a spacing flap joined to the first flap along asecond side of the first support panel.
 44. A container for thedispensing of cable or wire wound on a reel, comprising: a carton havinga plurality of panels including a front panel having bottom, left andright sides, a bottom panel extending from the bottom side of the frontpanel and having an upper surface, a left panel extending from the leftside of the front panel so as to be orthogonal to the bottom panel, anda right panel extending from the right side of the front panel so as tobe parallel and spaced from the left panel; a left panel arbor holeformed in the left panel around an axis; a right panel arbor hole formedin the right panel around the axis; a plurality of reels disposedadjacent to one another inside the carton; and a plurality of reelcaddies disposed in the carton, each reel caddy supporting an end of areel.
 45. The container of claim 44, further comprising: a first caddydisposed in the carton to be adjacent the left panel and to extendupwardly from an upper surface of the bottom panel, a substantiallycylindrical bushing of the first caddy extending inwardly toward theright panel, the bushing formed around the axis which is parallel to thebottom panel and which is disposed at a first distance measuredorthogonally from the upper surface of the bottom panel, the bushingbeing formed substantially at a first radius from the axis and a holebeing formed in the first caddy to be radially inward from an exteriorsurface of the bushing thereof; a second caddy disposed in the carton tobe left-facing and extend upwardly from the upper surface of the bottompanel, a substantially cylindrical bushing of the second caddy extendingtoward the left panel and formed around the axis, the bushing of thesecond caddy being formed substantially at the first radius from theaxis and a hole being formed in the second caddy to be radially inwardfrom an exterior surface of the bushing thereof; a third caddy disposedin the carton to be right-facing and adjacent to the second caddy toextend upwardly from the upper surface of the bottom panel, asubstantially cylindrical bushing of the third caddy extending towardthe right panel and formed around the axis, the bushing of the thirdcaddy being formed substantially at the first radius from the axis and ahole being formed in the third caddy to be radially inward from anexterior surface of the bushing thereof; a fourth caddy disposed in thecarton to be left-facing and to extend upwardly from the upper surfaceof the bottom panel, a substantially cylindrical bushing of the fourthcaddy extending inwardly toward the left panel and formed around theaxis, the bushing of the fourth caddy being formed substantially at thefirst radius from the axis and a hole being formed in the fourth caddyto be radially inward from an exterior surface of the bushing thereof; afirst reel having spaced-part left and right first reel flanges, theleft first reel flange having a central hole, the right first reelflange having a central hole, the first reel flanges being joined by afirst spindle, the central holes of the left and right first reelflanges each formed around the axis and having a second radius which isgreater than said first radius, such that the bushing of the first caddymay be received in the central hole of the left first reel flange andthe bushing of the second caddy may be received in the central hole ofthe right first reel flange, a greatest radius of the left first reelflange and a greatest radius of the right first reel flange being lessthan said first distance so as to permit the rotation of the first reelaround the axis inside of the carton; and a second reel havingspaced-part left and right second reel flanges, the left second reelflange having a central hole, the right second reel flange having acentral hole, the second reel flanges being joined by a second spindle,the central holes of the left and right second reel flanges each formedaround the axis and having a third radius which is greater than saidfirst radius, such that the bushing of the third caddy may be receivedin the central hole of the left second reel flange and the bushing ofthe fourth caddy may be received in the central hole of the right secondreel flange, a greatest radius of the left second reel flange and agreatest radius of the right second reel flange being less than saidfirst distance so as to permit the rotation of the second reel aroundthe axis inside of the carton.
 46. The container of claim 45, whereinthe first and second spindles further comprise an axial passageway forcommunicating the central holes of the right and left reel flanges. 47.The container of claim 45, further comprising: a fifth caddy disposed inthe carton to be right-facing and adjacent to the fourth caddy to extendupwardly from the upper surface of the bottom panel, a substantiallycylindrical bushing of the fifth caddy extending toward the right paneland formed around the axis, the bushing of the fifth caddy being formedsubstantially at the first radius from the axis and a hole being formedin the fifth caddy to be radially inward from an exterior surface of thebushing thereof; a sixth caddy disposed in the carton to be left-facingand to extend upwardly from the upper surface of the bottom panel, asubstantially cylindrical bushing of the sixth caddy extending inwardlytoward the left panel and formed around the axis, the bushing of thesixth caddy being formed substantially at the first radius from the axisand a hole being formed in the sixth caddy to be radially inward from anexterior surface of the bushing thereof; and a third reel havingspaced-part left and right third reel flanges, the left third reelflange having a central hole, the right third reel flange having acentral hole, the third reel flanges being joined by a third spindlehaving an axial passageway for communicating the central holes of theright and left third reel flanges, the central holes of the left andright third reel flanges each formed around the axis and having a fourthradius which is greater than said first radius, such that the bushing ofthe fifth caddy may be received in the central hole of the left thirdreel flange and the bushing of the sixth caddy may be received in thecentral hole of the right third reel flange, a greatest radius of theleft third reel flange and a greatest radius of the right third reelflange being less than said first distance so as to permit the rotationof the first reel around the axis inside of the carton.
 48. Thecontainer of claim 47, wherein the sixth caddy is adjacent to the rightpanel of the carton.
 49. The container of claim 45, wherein the fourthcaddy is adjacent to the right panel of the carton.
 50. The container ofclaim 44, further comprising at least one elongated slot formed in atleast one panel of the carton in a direction parallel to the axis topermit the dispensing of cable out of the carton.